The Pacific: General Aviation & Questions The place for students, instructors and charter guys in Oz, NZ and the rest of Oceania.

CPL jobs for low hour pilots

Old 15th Aug 2017, 03:03
  #1 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
CPL jobs for low hour pilots

Hi guys,

I'm a recent CPL graduate based in Melbourne and I just wanted to know if anyone knew about any jobs for low hour CPLs like myself in Victoria.

I'm planning on doing a road trip up the east coast of Australia but wasn't sure if this was the best thing to do right now...

Or should I just continue to send out resumes by email for now??

If anyone has any suggestions please let me know!!

Cheers
JasonAirBourne is offline  
Old 15th Aug 2017, 11:26
  #2 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
First up I hope you have a flak jacket big enough to take a flight over Berlin in 1944 because I guarantee some fire is about to come your way.

As for an answer to your question, the only immediately obvious job would be instructing if you are really set in not moving, other jobs are very hard to find unless you want to head up to the NT, where they are only slightly easier to find.
Ia8825 is offline  
Old 15th Aug 2017, 12:25
  #3 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Brisbane, Qld
Posts: 1,370
Received 29 Likes on 15 Posts
Tell you the same thing I told the last bloke: "Woolworths"
Ixixly is offline  
Old 15th Aug 2017, 12:42
  #4 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Remote
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Wrong time for up North but in the following months it may be worthwhile hitting up the operators down around Apollo Bay, Torquay way for the summer flying season. There are plenty of threads on here with advice to sift through when it comes to hunting for that first job. Good luck.
Pilotette is offline  
Old 15th Aug 2017, 12:48
  #5 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 80
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
QANTAS has a Melbourne base. Try them.
aussie1234 is offline  
Old 15th Aug 2017, 12:48
  #6 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Sydney
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Save some cash and make the pilgrimage north-west. Dealers choice how you get there - plenty of small airfields and operators either way you go. Unless you want to instruct or do useless skydiving flying don't waste your time in Victoria or up the East Coast. Maybe for your second job.

There are plenty of threads on this (because everyone has done it, or is about to) but I'll get you started because standby has me stuck at home.

Best bet is to arrive 'up north' in January. Any later might be too late. Find a town you like, settle in, find a job pulling beers, making lattes, stacking shelves, whatever. Drop by the operators from time to time to let them know you're still around.

Think Mt Isa, Tennant Creek, Katherine, Kakadu, Kununurra, Broome.
pylet is offline  
Old 16th Aug 2017, 03:35
  #7 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: back to the land of small pay and big bills
Age: 50
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Because it teaches you how to take off heavy and land light..many more times per flight hour than most pilots which is obviously a skill not required for an airline pilot
mattyj is offline  
Old 16th Aug 2017, 06:41
  #8 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by lo_lyf
Why is skydiving useless?
I was thinking exactly the same thing. Not having done it I don't actually know what is involved, but I can't imagine it being useless
Ia8825 is offline  
Old 16th Aug 2017, 07:28
  #9 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: australia
Posts: 376
Received 26 Likes on 14 Posts
Originally Posted by lo_lyf
Why is skydiving useless?


It's not useless, you just don't want thousands of hours doing it.


If you can use it to get over the 500 hour mark then it is a good way to get a start.
mikewil is offline  
Old 16th Aug 2017, 08:32
  #10 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Northern Australia
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by mikewil
It's not useless, you just don't want thousands of hours doing it.


If you can use it to get over the 500 hour mark then it is a good way to get a start.
Absolutely agree, I used it as my first job in between working a full-time job. Pay was $20 a load and worked with some undesirables. However, operating in class C dropping in between RPT meant being given a drop time by ATC and working backwards from departure to be on point, at height, on the minute, taught me the valuable lessons of time management and engine management.

Agreed though, not something you want to do forever!
Shoulda_beena_tradie is offline  
Old 16th Aug 2017, 10:31
  #11 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: FNQ ... It's Permanent!
Posts: 4,282
Received 162 Likes on 83 Posts
However, operating in class C dropping in between RPT meant being given a drop time by ATC and working backwards from departure to be on point, at height, on the minute, taught me the valuable lessons of time management and engine management.
Being able to read a clock is important!
Capt Fathom is online now  
Old 16th Aug 2017, 10:39
  #12 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Sydney
Age: 60
Posts: 1,542
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by mattyj
Because it teaches you how to take off heavy and land light..many more times per flight hour than most pilots which is obviously a skill not required for an airline pilot
Long haul airline pilots take off heavy and land light all the time!
Tankengine is offline  
Old 16th Aug 2017, 11:05
  #13 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Yeah but generally you hope POB at start = POB on landing for airliners, for some reason throwing them out the side door is frowned upon no matter how deserved it may be
Ia8825 is offline  
Old 16th Aug 2017, 11:22
  #14 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Brisbane, Qld
Posts: 1,370
Received 29 Likes on 15 Posts
Folks, I'd suggest that ANY flying is useless if approached in the wrong way. Equally so any flying can be useful to a degree with the right mentality. If you get out there and set yourself new challenges each and every flight you'll be all the better for it, no matter what you're doing.
Ixixly is offline  
Old 16th Aug 2017, 11:26
  #15 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My philosophy for a 150 hour CPL holder is any flying would be useful. Mates want a cost sharing scenic flight? Do it. Someone needs an aircraft ferried somewhere? Do it. Same for things like sky diving and nearly any other flying you can get. If it builds those hours in your book then it's a good thing.
Ia8825 is offline  
Old 17th Aug 2017, 10:44
  #16 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: In the middle
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I think it's important to visit the operators you wish to work for. Just firing emails out and sending resumes probably won't work. Be prepared to move to other side of the country if it means getting employed as a pilot.
huffercart is offline  
Old 17th Aug 2017, 10:45
  #17 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: In the middle
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
What ever you do, don't do P2F i.e. 'pay to fly'.
huffercart is offline  
Old 18th Aug 2017, 08:03
  #18 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 1,455
Received 49 Likes on 33 Posts
Only way to do it is get your CV up to scatch clearly outlining the high impact points on the front page - name, contact details, licence and ratings together with a simple break down of your hours. Second page, education, other qualifications outside of aviation and referees. Make sure your referees know that you are using them!

Then get in your trusty wagon, dress up and go and hand deliver your CV. Be prepared to get the kick in the pants, ala I've got 50 pilots hanging off the tree out the front qued up sunshine! Or yer, lets have a chat, look at your logbook, licence and lets go for a check ride.

Go north in the wet season, I live in Darwin and operators are certainly hiring now!

Good luck, I know what it's like as I was in exactly in the same position in 93.

Instructor Rating can also be an excellent asset, particularly a Grade 1 with all the bells and whistles - looking long term.
Duck Pilot is offline  
Old 18th Aug 2017, 15:14
  #19 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Australia
Posts: 4,186
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 4 Posts
Originally Posted by mattyj
Because it teaches you how to take off heavy and land light..many more times per flight hour than most pilots which is obviously a skill not required for an airline pilot
Airline pilots in general mainly require computer keyboard skills to use the autopilot and navigation displays rather than manual flying skills which you need for dropping sky divers.
Centaurus is offline  
Old 19th Aug 2017, 00:27
  #20 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Bran Castle
Posts: 217
Received 40 Likes on 13 Posts
Originally Posted by Ia8825
Yeah but generally you hope POB at start = POB on landing for airliners, for some reason throwing them out the side door is frowned upon no matter how deserved it may be
Totally disagree. I never had any operator say my time skydive flying (a good 1000 hrs worth) was a bad thing. In fact, being that most skydiving operations these days are owned by the same company who operate PT6 machines - I'd suggest the opposite. ie "Oh I see you've got caravan time, that's handy, as we operate caravans in RPT. Would you like an interview?" I've experienced this first hand, as well as watching other people do exactly the same.

Any paid flying opportunity is a good one.
romeocharlie is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.